Damian Carrington's blog + Coal | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog+coal
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Fossil fuel lobby goes on the attack against divestment movement | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/feb/11/fossil-fuel-lobby-goes-on-the-attack-against-divestment-movement
<p>The speed at which the fossil fuel divestment campaign is growing seems to have rattled its opponents in the coal and oil lobbies</p><p>“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you,” said Mahatma Gandhi. The climate change <a href="http://gofossilfree.org/uk/">campaign to divest from fossil fuels</a> seems to be moving through those stages at express speed, with a sudden barrage of attacks from the coal and oil lobbies ahead of its <a href="http://gofossilfree.org/divestment-day/">global divestment day on Valentine’s day</a>.</p><p>The speed is appropriate given that the campaign, which argues the fossil fuel industry is a danger to both the climate and investors’ capital, is the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/08/campaign-against-fossil-fuel-growing">fastest growing divestment campaign yet seen</a>, moving quicker than those against tobacco and apartheid. It’s moving fast in the financial world too, with one <a href="http://about.bnef.com/content/uploads/sites/4/2014/08/BNEF_DOC_2014-08-25-Fossil-Fuel-Divestment.pdf">finance executive calling it</a> “one of the fastest-moving debates I think I’ve seen in my 30 years in markets”.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/feb/11/fossil-fuel-lobby-goes-on-the-attack-against-divestment-movement">Continue reading...</a>Fossil fuel divestmentClimate changeEnvironmentOilCoalEnergyFossil fuelsWed, 11 Feb 2015 18:18:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/feb/11/fossil-fuel-lobby-goes-on-the-attack-against-divestment-movementPhotograph: Paul Weiskel/Paul Weiskel/Demotix/CorbisEnvironmentalists rally in Boston in February 2014 to demand state legislators support a bill requiring divestment from the state’s fossil fuel holdingsPhotograph: Paul Weiskel/Paul Weiskel/Demotix/CorbisEnvironmentalists rally in Boston in February 2014 to demand state legislators support a bill requiring divestment from the state’s fossil fuel holdingsDamian Carrington2015-02-11T18:18:41ZWhile Didcot B burned, renewable energy powered on | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/20/while-didcot-b-burned-renewable-energy-powered-on
<p>Fire at Oxfordshire power station is a reminder of the energy security risks of centralised fossil fuel power and that all energy sources suffer from intermittency</p><p>Renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, is frequently criticised for being “unreliable”. But the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/20/didcot-b-power-station-blaze-oxfordshire">major fire at RWE’s Didcot gas-fired power station</a> on Sunday evening shows that traditional energy generation is also intermittent. Moreover, accidents at coal, gas and nuclear plants frequently involve much larger amounts of electricity dropping off the grid and at much shorter notice.</p><p>The Didcot station was running at full capacity on Sunday evening, RWE told me. So the cooling tower fire, which forced unit 5 to close, led to the instantaneous loss of 700MW of electricity just after 8pm. That is about half-a-million-homes-worth of power that the National Grid had to find with zero seconds’ notice. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/20/while-didcot-b-burned-renewable-energy-powered-on">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentCoalEnergyEnergy industrySolar powerRenewable energyFossil fuelsUK newsGasMon, 20 Oct 2014 13:35:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/20/while-didcot-b-burned-renewable-energy-powered-onPhotograph: Peter Byrne/PAHeysham nuclear power station, one of four nuclear power reactors that were shut down after a defect was discovered in one of themPhotograph: Peter Byrne/PAHeysham nuclear power station, one of four nuclear power reactors that were shut down after a defect was discovered in one of themPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesA fire engine is parked in front of a fire damaged part of the Didcot B power stationPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesA fire engine is parked in front of a fire damaged part of the Didcot B power stationPhotograph: Christopher Thomondfor The Guardian./Christopher ThomondLark Energy’s Wymeswold Airfield, one of the UK’s largest solar farmsPhotograph: Christopher Thomondfor The Guardian./Christopher ThomondLark Energy’s Wymeswold Airfield, one of the UK’s largest solar farmsDamian Carrington2014-10-20T13:35:57ZNick Clegg taunts David Cameron on 'green crap' | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/08/nick-clegg-taunts-david-cameron-on-green-crap
<p>‘It’s not green crap to us,’ says Liberal Democrat leader, referring to comments made by Tory leader about levies on energy bills</p><p>The heart of the LibDem green offer to voters at the general election is its five “<a href="http://www.libdems.org.uk/five_new_laws_for_a_greener_britain">green laws</a>”.</p><p>Nick Clegg, addressing his party conference summarised them like this: “Laws that will commit British governments to reducing carbon from our electricity sector. Create new, legal targets for clean air and water. Give everyone access to green space. Massively boost energy efficiency and renewable energy. Prioritise the shift to green cars. Bring an end to dirty coal.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/08/nick-clegg-taunts-david-cameron-on-green-crap">Continue reading...</a>Liberal DemocratsPoliticsGreen politicsEnvironmentShale gas and frackingEnergy billsMoneyGreen deal and energy companies obligation (ECO)Energy efficiencyCoalWed, 08 Oct 2014 12:48:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2014/oct/08/nick-clegg-taunts-david-cameron-on-green-crapPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesDeputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg delivers his keynote speech on the last day of the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference in Glasgow.Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesDeputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg delivers his keynote speech on the last day of the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference in Glasgow.Damian Carrington2014-10-08T12:48:28ZIEA report reminds us peak oil idea has gone up in flames | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/nov/12/iea-report-peak-oil
The truly global implications of the 2012 report lie in the warning that we must leave most of our fossil fuels in the ground<p>Given the bubbling cauldron of violence that the middle East so frequently and regrettably is, the prospect of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/12/us-biggest-oil-producer?intcmp=122">US outstripping Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest oil producer</a> in the next decade is deeply striking. The redrawing of the geopolitical map may cool some tensions and perhaps spark others.</p><p>But the truly global implications of the <a href="http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2012/november/name,33015,en.html">International Energy Agency's flagship report for 2012</a> lie elsewhere, in the quietly devastating statement that no more than one-third of already proven reserves of fossil fuels can be burned by 2050 if the world is to prevent global warming exceeding the danger point of 2C. This means nothing less than leaving most of the world's coal, oil and gas in the ground or facing a destabilised climate, with its supercharged heatwaves, floods and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/hurricane-sandy">storms</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/nov/12/iea-report-peak-oil">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentOilOilGasGasCoalEnergyEnergy industryGreenhouse gas emissionsFossil fuelsPeak oilMon, 12 Nov 2012 16:18:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/nov/12/iea-report-peak-oilMario Tama/Getty ImagesThe world's stock markets are sitting on toxic levels of subprime coal and gas, a giant carbon bubble ready to explode. Illustration: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesMario Tama/Getty ImagesTraders work in the crude oil options pit moments before the closing bell at the New York Mercantile Exchange January 8, 2010 in New York City. Crude oil rose as much as 1 percent to $83.47 a barrel before closing at $82.70, up 0.1 percent, nearly reaching the 14-month high of $83.52 hit on January 6. Illustration: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesDamian Carrington2012-11-12T16:18:00ZUK shale gas is more lead balloon than silver bullet | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/sep/28/shale-gas-fracking-uk-carbon-energy
Fracking's backers say it will deliver a quick, cheap way of cutting carbon emissions. The latest analysis shows none of these claims stands up<p>With the UK government <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/17/gas-fracking-gets-green-light">expected to give the go-ahead for shale gas</a> exploitation &quot;soon&quot;, it's a good time to re-enter the smoke and mirrors world of fracking.</p><p>There are plenty of people bubbling with excitement at the prospect of the drilling beginning. They argue that shale gas has been the biggest cause of carbon dioxide emission cuts in the US recently, thanks to the replacement of coal. It's cheap too, they say, again pointing again to the US, and there's a vast amount under our feet here in the UK, just waiting to be freed. Lastly, shale gas is popular with the free market enthusiasts who lambast the subsidies given to renewable energy. Yet not one of these arguments stand up.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/sep/28/shale-gas-fracking-uk-carbon-energy">Continue reading...</a>Shale gas and frackingEnvironmentGasCoalGreenhouse gas emissionsEnergyFri, 28 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/sep/28/shale-gas-fracking-uk-carbon-energyJim Lo Scalzo/EPAFracking has lit up the US energy market, driving gas prices down, but the chance of the same happening in the UK is remote, say analysts. (Troy, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA)Jim Lo Scalzo/EPAA hydraulic fracturing drill rig lights up the landscape at dusk near Troy, Pennsylvania, USA, 8 March 2012. The controversial drilling practice, also known as fracking, requires injecting huge amounts of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure thousands of feet beneath the earth's surface to extract reserves of natural gas. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPADamian Carrington2012-09-28T07:00:00ZLord Lawson's links to Europe's colossal coal polluter | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/mar/06/climate-change-sceptic-lawson-coal
The Polish branch of a company chaired by the climate sceptic Lord Lawson lists the titanic Belchatow coal-fired power station as a client. But the peer gets prickly when asked to explain<p>What links climate change sceptic Lord Nigel Lawson and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/22/europes-biggest-carbon-polluter-coal">Europe's biggest single source of carbon pollution</a>, the Belchatow coal-fired power station in Poland? A pretty straightforward business connection, all documented on public websites and set out below, is the answer.</p><p>But Lord Lawson's prompt explanation as to why this is a silly &quot;non-issue&quot; is not straightforward, in my opinion. It can be summarised as: it was all a long time ago, in a land far away and, in any case, how dare you doubt the word of a peer of the realm. I wrote back and asked why the information linking Lord Lawson to the filthy power station remains on the relevant websites, if it was such a long time ago and so far away. The response this time was silence. </p><p><br />I am writing to request your clarification on two matters.</p><p>1. Your relationship to energy companies through the Central European Trust.</p><p>Let me reply, first, by saying that your implication that I am someone who cannot be trusted to tell the truth is one that I find deeply offensive.</p><p>The facts are as follows.</p><p>Thank you very much for your response. I would be most grateful for some further clarifications.</p><p>1a. You have no shareholding in CET Co Ltd and, according to the register of members interests, receive no payment from the company. Why do you remain a director and chairman?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/mar/06/climate-change-sceptic-lawson-coal">Continue reading...</a>Climate changeClimate changeClimate change scepticismGreenhouse gas emissionsCoalEnvironmentTue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/mar/06/climate-change-sceptic-lawson-coalJohn Guillemin/Getty ImagesThe giant Belchatow coal-fired power station in Poland is fed from the open cast mine in the foreground. Photograph: John Guillemin/Getty Images/2009John Guillemin/Getty ImagesWater vapor and smoke rise from a Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA (PGE) coal fired power station, behind a PGE open pit brown coal mine in Belchatow, Poland, on 25 November, 2009. Photograph: John Guillemin/Getty ImagesDamian Carrington2012-03-06T09:00:00ZHow to tackle the climate, health and food crises, all at the same time | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/13/methane-black-carbon-emission-climate-change-warming
Reducing the soot pumped out by cars and cooking fires and the methane from coal mines and oil wells would rapidly curb global warming, prevent air pollution deaths and boost crop yields<p>From coal mines to rice paddies and cooking fires to diesel exhausts, 14 highly cost-effective measures could quickly curb global warming and save millions of lives, while also boosting global food production. That is the striking conclusion of a <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/335/6065/183.abstract">new study published in Science</a> and the most authoritative look yet at the opportunities offered in tackling methane and black carbon - soot - pollution.</p><p>The headline findings are striking. The measures would reduce warming by 0.5C by 2050, very useful indeed with the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/09/fossil-fuel-infrastructure-climate-change">world failing to get to grips with carbon dioxide emissions</a>. And that's only half the tale. They would also avert between 0.7 and 4.7 million premature deaths caused by air pollution every year and bump up crop yields by 30 to 135m tonnes a year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/13/methane-black-carbon-emission-climate-change-warming">Continue reading...</a>Climate changeClimate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsPollutionEnvironmentCoalDroughtFarmingFoodFri, 13 Jan 2012 15:11:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/13/methane-black-carbon-emission-climate-change-warmingMODIS/NASAA thick aerosol haze blanketed northern India for several weeks in December 2011, hugging the southern face of the Himalayas and pouring southwards over both coasts. Photograph: MODIS/NASAMODIS/NASAThe haze which has been blanketing northern India for several weeks continues to plague the region in mid-December, 2011. The thick aerosol soup not only hugs the southern face of the Himalaya, but also pours southward over both coasts. Photograph: MODIS/NASADamian Carrington2012-01-13T15:11:00ZCoal's dirty secret: it's dying | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/nov/15/coal-uk-jobs-renewables-clean-energy
Protecting uneconomic jobs in a dying industry - coal mining in the UK - is not acceptable. But neither is abandoning workers to the dole, which is where green energy comes in<p>I spent half my childhood in Fife, surrounded by villages where abandoned coal mines has left nothing behind but unemployment. Walking to school, I remember seeing houses with all the windows smashed in and &quot;scab&quot; daubed in giant letters across the walls. The destruction of an industry is a terrible and traumatic event.</p><p>But the call from a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/nov/14/carbon-tax-uk-jobs-risk">right-wing think tank to exempt the UK coal industry from taxes on carbon</a> could not be more wrong-headed. It is mounting a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/sep/13/carbon-tax-rebate">Canute-like stand against the tide</a>, rather than swimming with it.</p><p>This collapse in the market for coal could come as new cleaner coal power stations are possibly under construction by the mid-2020s – or in sight of opening – but by the time they are commissioned the UK coal industry would have effectively ceased to exist.</p><p>UK mining still looks after a third of our coal demand, supplying 18.4m tonnes last year, and this is expected to hit 19m tonnes this year. This collapse would lead to Britain needing to import all of its coal demand ... It would also lead to the loss of up to 6,000 coal sector jobs.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/nov/15/coal-uk-jobs-renewables-clean-energy">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentCoalFossil fuelsGreen economyGreen politicsGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon capture and storage (CCS)BusinessTue, 15 Nov 2011 13:16:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/nov/15/coal-uk-jobs-renewables-clean-energyDenis Thorpe/GuardianA miner underground works on the coal-face in Creswell Colliery coal mine, Derbyshire, 1974. Photograph: Denis Thorpe for the GuardianDenis Thorpe/GuardianA miner underground works on the coal-face in Creswell Colliery coal mine, Derbyshire, 1974. Photograph: Denis Thorpe for the GuardianDamian Carrington2011-11-15T13:16:55ZLive blogged: The UK's new energy future | Damian Carringtonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jul/12/electricity-reform-energy-nuclear-carbon
Read how Chris Huhne set out the government's plan for cutting the UK's carbon emissions, while keeping the lights on, at a price people can afford. Plus: all the reaction<p><strong>This live blog has now ended.</strong> You <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jul/12/electricity-reform-energy-nuclear-carbon#block-22">jump straight to my sum up</a>, if you like, or just read through in chronological order.</p><p>.</p><p>These reforms will secure our energy future. They will get us off the fossil fuel hook and on to clean, green and secure energy. Crucially, they will keep bills lower than they would be if we stuck with the existing arrangements. </p><p>If we were to leave the market as it is now, we estimate electricity bills will be around &pound;200 higher in 2030 compared with today's average annual household bill (about &pound;500). But if we act now - reform the market and get the secure clean energy we need more cost-effectively - we estimate we can limit this increase to &pound;160. This is &pound;40 lower than it would otherwise be.</p><p>Keeping the lights on and tackling climate change is in consumers' long term interests. However, consumers can't be expected to write a blank cheque to decarbonise electricity generation.</p><p>If today's policy is to be the least worse option for consumers it needs to be done in the most cost effective way. In order to deliver value for money and minimise the impact on consumers, Government must ensure that: consumers on the lowest incomes are protected; a step change in energy efficiency is delivered; the energy market becomes more competitive.</p><p>Last year the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/29/uk-global-green-investment-rankings">UK plummeted from 5th to 13th in the clean-tech investor rankings</a> and there is nothing in this week's energy policy paper that will reverse that trend. Our competitive position will continue to slide until the coalition come to a common view about the role of green growth in the UK's economic recovery.</p><p>Making energy demand reduction a priority is a huge and necessary strategic shift. For 20 years the design of the electricity market has effectively blocked investment in the demand side. This has raised costs to consumers and increased our exposure to volatile global energy markets.</p><p>As Huhne spoke, note how little he mentions climate change and emissions and how often he talks about keeping the lights on. This is the government's new mantra, to try to counter the critics who rail against green taxes putting energy prices up.</p><p>The cover of the EMR white paper bills it as a plan for &quot;secure, affordable and low carbon electricity&quot;. Note the order in which those words appear.</p><p>Huhne rejected the claim that the reforms would favour nuclear power. He said no public subsidy would be given to the nuclear industry. However, while this is true, observers have noted that putting a minimum price on carbon would enable nuclear plants to make higher profits by penalising fossil fuel competitors, and the new long term contracts are also likely to favour nuclear power.</p><p>A Carbon Price Floor (announced in Budget 2011) to reduce investor uncertainty, putting a fair price on carbon and providing a stronger incentive to invest in low-carbon generation now</p><p>The introduction of new long-term contracts (Feed-in Tariff with Contracts for Difference) to provide stable financial incentives to invest in all forms of low-carbon electricity generation. A contract for difference approach has been chosen over a less cost-effective premium feed-in tariff</p><p>An Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) set at 450g CO2/kWh to reinforce the requirement that no new coal-fired power stations are built without CCS, but also to ensure necessary short-term investment in gas can take place</p><p>A Capacity Mechanism, including demand response as well as generation, which is needed to ensure future security of electricity supply. We are seeking further views on the type of mechanism required and will report on this around the turn of the year.</p><p>The Government will put in place effective transitional arrangements to ensure there is no hiatus in investment while the new system is established.</p><p>'It is vital that these reforms work. The Government must therefore consult not only with the industry but with the opposition, to get cross-party support for its proposals. If the required levels of investment are to be made, investors need to know that these reforms are for the long term. There are not many issues on which Labour will wish to work with the Coalition, or vice-versa, but this has to be one of them.'</p><p>The shift to low-carbon power contracts marks a qualitative toughening of UK energy policy, and is a significant step forward. There are also some promising signs that the coalition will create a market for negawatts [energy efficiency] to match the one for low carbon megawatts. However, because the Coalition are still undecided on green growth much of the detail needed by investors is missing. Sadly this means the UK will continue to underperform in the clean energy investment rankings until the volume and price of renewable contracts is clearer.</p><p>I welcome efforts to address the UK's dependence on fossil fuels and boost investment in renewables, there is no doubt that the government's circuitous Electricity Market Reform is a love letter to nuclear power. The introduction of a carbon price floor is set to gift huge windfall handouts of around &pound;50m a year to existing generators – making a mockery of the Coalition pledge not to subsidise the industry. To claw back this money for the taxpayer, the government should levy a windfall tax on nuclear.</p><p>We know that energy efficiency and demand management measures play a key role in tackling rising bills and lifting people out of fuel poverty – yet they are absent from the EMR. The Government should use the full revenue from the EMR to invest directly in energy efficiency and demand reduction, and measures to reduce fuel poverty.</p><p>There are six winners from today's white paper and millions of losers. The winners, yet again, are the big six energy suppliers who have been given a continued license to pocket rather than save customers money. For the millions of consumers, many now living in fuel poverty, this white paper just increased the amount they will have to fork out each year on their energy bills without fundamentally changing the foundations for a shift to energy efficient and clean, renewable energy economy. </p><p>This is the opportunity to put power back in the hands of the people - not just the six big energy companies - and to unleash the potential of the UK's wind, waves, tides and sun. The Government must help insulate homes, get new companies to invest in renewable energy and support communities to generate their own power.</p><p>Today's White Paper gives Britain more control over its energy future. This will transform the market and ensure customers will benefit from stability, security, affordability and predictability.<br />Current UK electricity prices are driven by volatile fossil fuel prices, which are subject to global events outside Britain's control. As a result, the country is exposed to spiraling energy costs.<br />Today's announcement puts customers' needs at the heart of the market. It encourages investment in generation which is both low carbon and not dependent on fossil fuel prices. This is good news for customers, policy makers and investors. Electricity Market Reform means that cost will be kept to a minimum.</p><p>This is a bold step by the government to give the electricity industry confidence to invest in a low carbon power industry. Electricity producers are already big investors in the UK, but the investment required by 2020 - about &pound;200 billion across the energy sector - is enormous and far too much for the industry to contemplate without attracting new capital.</p><p>'Reforming the electricity market to meet these [carbon emission] targets inevitably comes at a price. The government will have to assure itself of the cost effectiveness of its measures and both government and the industry must be open and honest about the cost.</p><p>We need a clear picture of the implications of the cumulative cost of climate and energy policy. This will be critical in reassuring manufacturers who are planning to invest in Britain that their competitiveness will not be damaged by allowing electricity prices to get out of line with their major competitors.<br />The government must introduce the promised package of compensatory measures for energy intensive sectors in order to safeguard their international competitiveness.</p><p><br />Households and businesses across the UK face a future of power blackouts unless they help to pay for major new investments in the country's creaking infrastructure, the energy secretary warned on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;We have to stop dithering – you can have blackouts or you can have investment. Which do you want?&quot; asked Chris Huhne, unveiling a package of far-reaching reforms in the biggest shake-up of the electricity market since privatisation.</p><p>&quot;A government which allows prices to rise is unpopular but a government which allows the lights to go out is unelectable.&quot;</p><p>The White Paper may throw a few crumbs of comfort to the renewables industry, but in reality it is all about getting new nuclear power stations built. It will cost consumers and the environment dear, and can only be seen as a short term package to support the nuclear industry in general, and EDF in particular.</p><p>The measures in the White Paper are not going to have an impact on consumer prices in the short term, because this is about facilitating an investment programme that's probably only going to kick off properly in 2014 - 16. However there is inevitability here, that this is a massive capital investment programme and will flow down the line to consumers.</p><p>It is disappointing that the government have not taken the opportunity to remove unnecessary complexity. There are still too many policies in this package to achieve the government's stated aims. The Emissions Performance Standard remains part of the plans, despite it being superfluous.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jul/12/electricity-reform-energy-nuclear-carbon">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentEnergyEnergy billsEnergy efficiencyEnergy industryEnergyTechnologyBusinessNuclear powerCoalGasGasTue, 12 Jul 2011 13:55:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jul/12/electricity-reform-energy-nuclear-carbonAnthony Devlin/PAThe sun is setting on the UK's liberalised electricity market, with government interventions to ensure sufficient low-carbon energy will be generated to meet targets for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PAAnthony Devlin/PAThe sun setting behind electricity pylons in Bromley. The Government has claimed measures to transform the electricity market will save consumers money over the next two decades, as it reveals its plans for reform, July 12, 2011. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PADamian Carrington2011-07-12T13:55:00ZDavid Cameron breaks silence on green mattershttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/nov/18/david-cameron-green-matters
From a green investment bank to sustainable development, the PM claims the coalition will stay true to its environment pledges<p>The &quot;<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/14/cameron-wants-greenest-government-ever" title="">greenest government ever</a>&quot; should be a type example of a phrase that casts a hostage to fortune. But the statement, made by David Cameron just days after taking office in May, was then followed by near deathly silence on all green matters. Today, in front of the massed ranks of the House of Commons liaison committee, he broke that silence.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/nov/18/david-cameron-green-matters">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentGreen politicsPoliticsGreen economyEnergyCarbon capture and storage (CCS)Fossil fuelsGreenhouse gas emissionsClimate changeCoalFloodingGreen investment bankThu, 18 Nov 2010 18:19:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/nov/18/david-cameron-green-mattersPADavid Cameron speaks at the liaison committee at the House of Commons, London. Photograph: PAPAPrime Minister David Cameron speaks at the Liaison Committee at the House of Commons, London. Photograph: PADamian Carrington2010-11-18T18:19:55ZSpending review: green policies checklisthttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/oct/20/spending-review-green-checklist
From the green investment bank to feed-in tariffs, these are the announcements green campaigners should be looking out for<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/18/green-campaigners-comprehensive-spending-review">Greens await spending review with trepidation</a><p>The big day is here, so what should those who care about the environment be looking for in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/spending-review" title="">comprehensive spending review</a>? It is brought to you by the prime minister, who aspires to lead (as we never tire of reminding him) &quot;<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/14/cameron-wants-greenest-government-ever" title="">the greenest government ever</a>&quot;, and his chancellor, George Osborne, who also has form when it comes to making bold, green statements. &quot;<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/george-osborne-the-treasury-should-lead-the-fight-against-climate-change-1826464.html" title="">If I become chancellor, the Treasury will become a green ally, not a foe</a>.&quot; And there's <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/georges-top-10-green-promises-20101019" title="">plenty more where that came from</a>. But has the presence of the Lib Dems in the coalition tempted the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/18/green-campaigners-comprehensive-spending-review" title="">Conservatives to push greenery down their own agenda</a>?</p><p>Before getting to my checklist, it's worth casting an eye over the &quot;<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/19/spending-review-document-job-cuts" title="">Environment narrative&quot; page that Danny Alexander was captured reading yesterday</a>.It is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/19/spending-review-document-job-cuts" title="">analysed here by Juliette Jowit</a>, and is far from encouraging for those hoping for big green wins in the CSR.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/oct/20/spending-review-green-checklist">Continue reading...</a>Green economyGreen jobsEnvironmentSpending review 2010Tax and spendingPoliticsCarbon capture and storage (CCS)CoalEnergyClimate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsFossil fuelsGreen buildingRenewable energyFarmingFeed-in tariffsEnergy billsMoneyTravel and transportGreen investment bankWed, 20 Oct 2010 07:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/oct/20/spending-review-green-checklistGettyThe greenest government ever? Photograph: GettyGettyPhotograph: Getty (tinted green)Damian Carrington2010-10-20T07:30:00Z